With no World Cup, Euros or Olympics, you might be fooled into thinking that this could be a forgettable sporting year. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. To get your juices well and truly flowing, we have put together a list of five events that shouldn’t be missed this year.

Just like your gluten-free, vegan, craft beer drinking mate (you know, the one with the shit beard, you kind of hate him), we’re not going to go too mainstream on this one. Champions League, Six Nations, Munster final, blah, blah, blah.

Here are 5 of the biggest sporting events of 2017. They might even distract you from the impending doom. You know, your man in the White House and that.

1. Klitschko v Joshua World Title Fight

While watching Anthony Joshua beat the snot out of everyone he fights is fun and all, one can’t help but tremble at the knees at the thoughts of him fighting someone of real quality. Over one million people are expected to tune into the fight at Wembley on the 29th of April 2017 which will gross at over thirty million pounds.

Joshua is the favourite to beat the forty year old, but writing Wladimir Klitschko off might just be the last thing you do. Both are Olympic gold medalists, and neither of them are Russian so it actually counts. Nice one.

2. The All-Ireland Club Final

Despite the fact that Gaelic games are being played at a higher level than ever, it does seem that the inter-county game has lost a bit of its magic recently.

This could be due to the unbelievable levels of professionalism in today’s game. Or maybe it’s because most of the players look like they f*cking hate playing their sport.

But the same cannot be said for the state of the club game. While teams are training at a much higher level than in previous decades, club matches tend not to be dominated by tactics to the same degree as county matches. The passionate and local feel to the club finals is a uniquely Irish experience. St. Patrick’s Day is quickly becoming the most exciting date on the GAA calendar.

3. The African Cup of Nations

The fact that Joel Matip’s decision to snub the competition was met with applause from the Liverpool fans is understandable but equally disrespectful to his country and to the competition. I mean, imagine if Ciaran Clarke refused to play for Ireland because of club duties? Well actually, ahem, maybe that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Despite its inconvenience to European club teams, this competition features an array of hugely exciting players such as Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez. With Ivory Coast as favourites, it’s a competition that is definitely worth a watch. Plus it takes place in January, so what else are you at? Is Didier Drogba still playing?

4. Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017

With all the hype around Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, it’s easy to forget that there’s a World Cup happening this year in Dublin and Belfast.

Liam Neeson may not be voicing it, but it’s not often a competition of this size is held in Ireland, which makes it an ideal chance to watch the world’s best teams live.

And yes, you’ve guessed it. The New Zealand women are class too. There’ll also be a disappointing quarter final exit for Ireland, presumably.

5. Super Bowl LI (2017)

If you’re a big American Football fan, well then this might not apply to you. This is aimed at Johnny from Cavan who has never watched a sport that wasn’t invented in Ireland.

While many of you are well accustomed to the sheer size and spectacle of the NFL, for those of us that aren’t, watching your first Super Bowl can be compared to your first sexual experience. You’re confused, amazed, a little scared, and you’re not too sure why people are crying (what, just mine?).

While the game itself can be a bit stop/start compared to the games we’re used to, the in-game entertainment means you’re never bored. So watch those cheerleaders and toss that pig-skin. That sounds worse than it is.

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5 Of The Biggest Sporting Events In 2017

January 4, 2017 (No Comments) by Andy Leech

With no World Cup, Euros or Olympics, you might be fooled into thinking that this could be a forgettable sporting year. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. To get your juices well and truly flowing, we have put together a list of five events that shouldn’t be missed this year.

Just like your gluten-free, vegan, craft beer drinking mate (you know, the one with the shit beard, you kind of hate him), we’re not going to go too mainstream on this one. Champions League, Six Nations, Munster final, blah, blah, blah.

Here are 5 of the biggest sporting events of 2017. They might even distract you from the impending doom. You know, your man in the White House and that.

1. Klitschko v Joshua World Title Fight

While watching Anthony Joshua beat the snot out of everyone he fights is fun and all, one can’t help but tremble at the knees at the thoughts of him fighting someone of real quality. Over one million people are expected to tune into the fight at Wembley on the 29th of April 2017 which will gross at over thirty million pounds.

Joshua is the favourite to beat the forty year old, but writing Wladimir Klitschko off might just be the last thing you do. Both are Olympic gold medalists, and neither of them are Russian so it actually counts. Nice one.

2. The All-Ireland Club Final

Despite the fact that Gaelic games are being played at a higher level than ever, it does seem that the inter-county game has lost a bit of its magic recently.

This could be due to the unbelievable levels of professionalism in today’s game. Or maybe it’s because most of the players look like they f*cking hate playing their sport.

But the same cannot be said for the state of the club game. While teams are training at a much higher level than in previous decades, club matches tend not to be dominated by tactics to the same degree as county matches. The passionate and local feel to the club finals is a uniquely Irish experience. St. Patrick’s Day is quickly becoming the most exciting date on the GAA calendar.

3. The African Cup of Nations

The fact that Joel Matip’s decision to snub the competition was met with applause from the Liverpool fans is understandable but equally disrespectful to his country and to the competition. I mean, imagine if Ciaran Clarke refused to play for Ireland because of club duties? Well actually, ahem, maybe that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Despite its inconvenience to European club teams, this competition features an array of hugely exciting players such as Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez. With Ivory Coast as favourites, it’s a competition that is definitely worth a watch. Plus it takes place in January, so what else are you at? Is Didier Drogba still playing?

4. Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017

With all the hype around Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, it’s easy to forget that there’s a World Cup happening this year in Dublin and Belfast.

Liam Neeson may not be voicing it, but it’s not often a competition of this size is held in Ireland, which makes it an ideal chance to watch the world’s best teams live.

And yes, you’ve guessed it. The New Zealand women are class too. There’ll also be a disappointing quarter final exit for Ireland, presumably.

5. Super Bowl LI (2017)

If you’re a big American Football fan, well then this might not apply to you. This is aimed at Johnny from Cavan who has never watched a sport that wasn’t invented in Ireland.

While many of you are well accustomed to the sheer size and spectacle of the NFL, for those of us that aren’t, watching your first Super Bowl can be compared to your first sexual experience. You’re confused, amazed, a little scared, and you’re not too sure why people are crying (what, just mine?).

While the game itself can be a bit stop/start compared to the games we’re used to, the in-game entertainment means you’re never bored. So watch those cheerleaders and toss that pig-skin. That sounds worse than it is.